The 15 Most Important People in European History.

Welcome to the web page of Dan Berkowitz, Tristan Dahl, and Joe Borson (pictured in that order below). We have compiled a list of who we think are the 15 most important and influencial men in all of modern European history (1000-present). The following items comprised our criteria for this list:

1. Direct Impact on people's everyday lives.The first category for entry on this list involves the direct impact they had on everyday lives of the people in the region where the person lived/worked. Was it easier to find work? Was it easier to get bread or milk? Was it easier to worship as you please? These are all-important questions, and ones in which people can have serious and legitimate impact. Since the start of time, the things that people concern themselves with the things that they see from when they wake up (to gunfire?, to wars?), to the time they sleep (in a bomb shelter or in a bed). The ability of people to make other's lives better is an important reason for entry on this list.

2. Impact on Countries (large-scale impact)This next category is also important and a valid one for inclusion on this list. History generally is written in terms of nations, and in terms of geo-political events. So it is natural that the ability to change this events deserves note on this list. How did a person change a country? Did that person dramatically effect the evolution of say, England? Would Russia have become communist, would France have been fascist? These are all important questions, and they all stem from the actions of one person. The ability to create these large impacts on countries is very notable and very important.

3. Impact on long-term movementsThe third, and final rationale for inclusion on this list is the impact on long-term movements. It is true that history is written in terms of countries, however, history is also written in terms of movements. Historians trace the Industrial Revolution, and how it moved from a small mill in England, to something that will change the fate of the entire global community. Historians trace how communism emerged, and Historians trace how religion changed the face of Europe. All of these, and more, are very valid historical reasons. Thus, examining how a person influenced these movements is a very valid reason for inclusion on this list.

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